"I'll take you out to play. After we have a fun-filled day, I'll let you go home."
Mr. He's smile was sincere, and Xi Xi really couldn't refuse. Thinking that she hadn't told her Mommy the exact day of her return, she still had plenty of time within these three days.
"Okay!"
Mr. He smiled and stroked his head with his large, warm palm. "Then it's settled. I'll have someone make a plan for our outing."
"Mhm!"
...
Shen Qingqing carried the coffee upstairs. As she reached the door of the room, she heard voices from the bedroom. It was her husband on the phone.
"Are you sure?"
"I can go by myself."
Unsure of what was said on the other end, Fu Jingshu's voice rang out again, now low and heavy.
"...Alright."
There was silence in the bedroom for a while. Shen Qingqing pushed the door open. Fu Jingshu turned around, and the coldness in his gaze seemed to melt away as it fell upon her.
"You're here."
Shen Qingqing hummed, carrying the coffee over. He gently pulled her into his arms, taking the coffee from her hand.
"You might not be able to sleep tonight."
Listening to the man's deep, magnetic voice, Shen Qingqing couldn't help but smile. "It's okay if I can't sleep, don't I still have you?"
Fu Jingshu's gaze deepened, and he looked down at her.
His dark pupils were filled with a shadowy intensity, a surging heat that seemed capable of burning someone. Shen Qingqing grabbed his tie with one hand and pulled him forward.
The man leaned down, his handsome face drawing closer to her fair, delicate one, their breaths mingling.
"You'll help me pass the time anyway."
The woman's soft voice echoed in his ear. Fu Jingshu took a deep breath, cupped her head, and pulled her into his embrace.
Listening to the pounding of his heart, Shen Qingqing smirked. "Honey, you'll stay with me tonight, right?"
Fu Jingshu tightened his arm around her.
Shen Qingqing tilted her head up, gazing at his smoothly sculpted, slightly resolute jawline. "Honey, who were you talking to just now?"
Her gaze drifted down to the man's slightly protruding Adam's apple. A gentle touch of her finger caused it to move up and down.
The man's voice was slightly hoarse. "Company matters."
Shen Qingqing hummed and continued to toy with his Adam's apple. "Is it something I can't know? Why be so vague? Was it not Lin Mo who called?"
Fu Jingshu shook his head, lifted her into his arms, and sat on the edge of the bed, placing his wife on his lap. He tilted his chin up slightly, allowing her little hands to playfully touch his neck.
He said in a husky voice, "It's not important. No need to bother you with it. I just need to go on a business trip."
"Minor matters require you to travel?"
Shen Qingqing paused, then Fu Jingshu's large hand cupped hers. When he held his wife's hand, his grip was always just right.
It didn't hurt her, but it also prevented her from easily breaking free.
"I've been handling this project. Others can't manage it, so I'll go take a look myself. I'll be back soon."
Shen Qingqing pouted. "How long will it take?"
"About three days." Fu Jingshu lowered his head and kissed his wife's forehead. The emotions in his heart, unexpressed, were all held in his eyes, making his dark pupils appear unusually deep. "Three days at most."
Shen Qingqing hummed and pulled her hand away to lightly touch his lips. Seeing his indulgent expression, her mood lifted.
"Alright, then I'll pack your luggage now. You can say goodbye to the child yourself later."
"Okay."
Watching his wife busy herself, Fu Jingshu tugged at his tie, his heart feeling full and heavy, as if something was fermenting. He resisted the urge to go and hug his wife.
Once everything was packed, he carried the luggage downstairs. Shen Qingqing followed, still chattering her instructions.
"Be careful when you get there. Even if the food doesn't agree with you, eat some. Don't be picky, and if I find out you've lost weight when you come back..."
Before she could finish, the man suddenly turned and hugged her. Shen Qingqing was startled, and as she looked up, passionate kisses rained down on her.
She was quickly immersed in the kiss.
When the kiss ended, Fu Jingshu's breathing was slightly unsteady. He whispered, "Don't worry about me. But on your end, Xi Xi hasn't returned. If you're worried, I can send someone to pick him up."
Shen Qingqing shook her head, her lips, moistened by the kiss, looking particularly rosy and alluring. "The child has his own ideas. I also believe he can take care of himself. You don't need to worry. On the contrary, I'm worried you'll be picky and refuse to eat properly when you get there."
She had only discovered his pickiness after they were married. Before marriage, when they ate together, he seemed to have no preference for any ingredients and ate whatever was given, leading her to believe he wasn't a picky eater.
But after marriage, she realized he wasn't not picky; he just didn't care if he couldn't get what he liked. As time went on, his tastes became more apparent: he liked sour, feared spicy, and was indifferent to sweet.
"I'll listen to you." Fu Jingshu's deep eyes fixed on her, his gaze intent and affectionate, as if he wanted to etch her image into his heart.
Shen Qingqing's cheeks, flushed from the kiss, gained a touch of moving charm. "Alright, you should go now. I'll wait for you at home."
"Okay."
Fu Jingshu looked at her deeply one last time before turning to leave.
He didn't look back at all.
Shen Qingqing watched him close the door, pouting slightly. "You looked so reluctant just now, and then you turned and left without a backward glance."
"Perhaps Daddy is afraid he won't be able to bear to leave if he sees Mommy."
Chen Chen's voice sounded from behind her.
Shen Qingqing turned and looked at him, hands clasped behind her back. "Don't you make any noise when you walk? You startled Mommy."
A hint of embarrassment flickered across Chen Chen's face, which was usually as mature and steady as a little gentleman's. "Mommy and Daddy were saying goodbye so intently that I've been here for a while, and you didn't even notice me."
Shen Qingqing chuckled. "Then why didn't you say anything when you arrived? You should say goodbye to your dad too."
Chen Chen said seriously, "Because Daddy only sees Mommy. I didn't want to be a third wheel. Besides, Daddy is only leaving for three days."
"How did you know?"
They had been talking in the bedroom at the time. How had the little one overheard?
Chen Chen blinked in confusion. "Know what?"
"Leaving for three days, didn't you hear it from your dad?"
"No."
"Then how are you so sure?" Shen Qingqing picked up the little one and sat on the sofa, genuinely curious.
Chen Chen smiled slightly. "Because the longest Daddy can be away from Mommy is only three days. He absolutely can't stand it if he can't see Mommy for more than three days."
"You're talking nonsense again."
Shen Qingqing flicked his forehead.
Chen Chen cupped his forehead, looking serious. "I'm telling the truth. Daddy can't leave Mommy."